State College Police Department Internship Program

The State College Police Department's internship program is a highly rewarding, professional program that offers participants the opportunity to work “hands on” in various areas of the Police Department. The internship program consists of 2 different internship positions; the Patrol and Criminal Investigation internship and the Community Relations Internship. The State College Police Department typically hires one intern per each position. Internships are paid and offered primarily to students enrolled at post-secondary institutions (must be 18 years of age or older). Student interns are typically in their junior or senior year of study and receive credit for successful completion of the internship program from their institution of higher learning.

Internships are offered for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

All State College Police Department interns are always expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner during their internship.

Interns will have the opportunity to ride along with patrol officers as they patrol the State College Borough, College Township, and Harris Township. Interns will be able to directly observe how the police handle various types of incidents they encounter on our streets. Some of these incidents include traffic stops, health and safety responses, assisting other first responder agencies, and observing arrests.

In addition, interns will be challenged to assist with criminal investigations including, but not limited to, interviews, written statement analysis, and crime scene and evidence processing. Interns may be asked to watch and analyze video surveillance and work in cell-phone forensics and actively assist with open cases.

Interns may be assigned to attend law enforcement related training programs or observe while officers participate in active training programs such as Tactical Response Team Readiness (TRT) training and Firearms training.

Interns will learn and experience how the police aim to continually improve their relationship with the community through a variety of events and activities. Interns will be asked to participate in a variety of community events with the State College Police Department such as LION Bash and the Centre County Citizens’ Police Academy. Interns will also help with department advertising and can create flyers, brochures, buttons, and help develop their own community outreach tools. Interns may have the opportunity to attend and observe a variety of law enforcement related trainings such as the Tactical Response Team Readiness (TRT) training and Firearms training.

Applicants interested in the internship position for Community Relations and Crime Prevention should be comfortable and passionate about working directly with members of the community, including children. The applicant should be able to adapt to a variety of different situations and think outside the box in order to utilize their own personal and unique skills in order to help grow police-community relations with an ever evolving and vibrant State College Community.

1. Submit a cover letter stating at a minimum, your reasons for applying for an internship with the State College Police Department, along with your relevant qualifications and expectations of the internship program;

2. Submit a resume that includes at least three professional/personal references with contact information;

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and United States citizens

Applicants must have valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Applicants should not have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendre to any felony charge, or to any violations of any federal or state laws relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, or controlled substances

Misdemeanor charges may be reason for dismissal from the application process and will be considered on a case by case basis

Summary charges (non-traffic and traffic offenses) may also be reason for dismissal from the application process and must be reported. These violations will also be considered on a case by case basis

No illegal use/abuse of controlled substances

Must be a current student enrolled and attending at least a two- or four- year accredited school or university

Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher (or otherwise be in good academic standing)

Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement and consent to a criminal background check

Fall internships run from mid-August through December (may vary with a college schedule if for credit)

Application and all required materials must be received by June 30

Interviews will be held by July 15

Selections will be made by July 30

Spring Internships

Spring internships run from January through May (may vary with a college schedule if for credit)

Application and all required materials must be received by October 30

Interviews will be held by November 15

Selections will be made by November 30

Summer Internships

Summer internships run from mid-May through August (may vary with a college schedule if for credit)

Application and all required materials must be received by March 15

Interviews will be held by March 30

Selections will be made by April 15

Candidates from Nontraditional Schools

Students attending schools with nontraditional academic semesters may also be considered for an internship and should still apply as listed above. These applicants need to be sure to indicate in their application and cover letter the specific dates they are requesting for the internship.

Candidates Applying for College Credit

Students applying for college credit must speak with their advisor and/or internship coordinator at their college to discuss any additional assignments or information regarding credit. In addition, students need to indicate in their application and cover letter the specific dates (typically the first and last days of classes) they are requesting for the internship.